A deadly SARS-like virus spreading through the Middle East has landed in the U.S., health officials said today.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this afternoon confirmed the first U.S. case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS – a viral infection that has killed more than 100 people worldwide.

The case involved a healthcare worker who had been working in Saudi Arabia, the CDC said today. The patient, whose name and gender have not been released, flew from Saudi Arabia to London on April 24, and then flew to Chicago before developing a fever, cough and shortness of breath on April 27. The patient sought emergency medical care at a hospital in Indiana April 28, where he or she remains in stable condition receiving oxygen.

“We should not be surprised if additional cases are identified,” U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Anne Schuchat said at a media briefing today.

Learn more about the history of the outbreak.

While details of the case and the potential for spread are still emerging, here are five things you need to know about MERS.

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MUNSTER | A patient at Community Hospital with the first U.S. case of a deadly virus from the Middle East remains in good condition and is improving daily, according to a statement released Sunday by the Indiana State Department of Health.

No new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, had been reported in the state as of Sunday, the department said.

Gov. Mike Pence will join public health officials and Community Hospital leaders for a media briefing about the virus at 10 a.m. Monday at the hospital in Munster.

The Department of Health is working with the hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others to monitor the situation and prevent the virus' spread. Representatives from the CDC arrived Saturday in Indianapolis to assist and arrived at the hospital Sunday morning.

Because symptoms of MERS may take up to 14 days to occur, hospital staff who had direct contact with the patient before the patient was placed in full isolation have been taken off duty and placed in temporary home isolation. Those people will be allowed to return to work once the incubation period is over and they test negative for the virus. There have been no reported cases of people without symptoms transmitting this virus, the statement said.

“The patient is in full isolation and presents no risk to patients, staff or the general community,” said Don Fesko, CEO of Community Hospital. “We are thoroughly prepared to handle respiratory infections. We continue to work closely with the CDC and State Health Department and are following every recommendation. Safety is our top priority.”

Federal and state health officials on Friday said the patient, whose identity has not been released, flew from Saudi Arabia to the United States on April 24, with a stop in London. He landed in Chicago and took a bus to Indiana. He didn't become sick until April 27, the CDC said.

He went to the emergency room at Community Hospital with a fever, cough and shortness of breath.

“We are very pleased the patient is improving and no other cases have been identified at this time,” said State Health Commissioner William VanNess II. “The individual has received excellent care while at Community Hospital in Munster. The swift diagnosis and precautionary measures taken have undoubtedly greatly helped reduce the risk of this potentially serious virus spreading.”

As of Friday, 262 people in 12 countries were confirmed to have MERS and 93 died. More than 100 other patients have a confirmed case but are not included in the World Health Organization tally, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, assistant surgeon general, U.S. public health service and director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Center for Disease Control tips

The CDC recommends the following tips to prevent the spread of disease:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or sharing eating utensils, with sick people.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.

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If people still need to be told these tips, we are doomed. Also, not that this is a good thing, but 100 people world wide isn't a lot. Far more people die from just falling down.

I remember back in the 80's my mom used to yell at me for touching the black hand rail thingies on escalators because of all the germs.
This was way before Lysol wipes and hand sanitizers.
Now a days, we disinfect everything, as I'm a total germ phobic person! Its disgusting what people do with their hands and don't wash/sanitize. If I think about it too long, I would never eat out again or go in public again! LOL

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